'Kimberly Akimbo' Worth A Look

Take five unlikeable characters, a somewhat depressing story line and a few unrealistic plot-twists and what do you get? A surprisingly enjoyable play.

This stone soup of plays is Kimberly Akimbo, playing now at , the first production in the . Kimberly, a 16-year-old with a physical ailment that makes her look more than four times her age, has even bigger problems.

Her father is an optimistic alcoholic; her mother is a neurotic hypochondriac; her aunt is a homeless criminal. Her only friend is a textbook nerd.

And Kimberly herself is a self-pitying teen, who can’t help but try to please her supporting cast of screw-ups.

On paper, these characters are not particularly special or interesting protagonists. And yet, when combined, they make a charmingly dysfunctional group, which could loosely be referred to as a family.

The dark humor behind this broken home is what gives the play a certain charm. Each actor brings a certain twinkle to his or her character. Sonya Aiko Hearn plays Kimberly with just enough sarcasm to override her flaws without seeming bitter. Michael Fallon as Kimberly’s father, Buddy, plays a man who is often overlooked by his family and society, and yet his surprising display of alternating comedic and dramatic chops cannot be ignored.

Nancy Bennett, as Kimberly’s mother; Jen Adams as Kimberly’s aunt and Matthew C. Thompson as Kimberly’s friend, Jeff, all hold their own as the play twists through a complicated plot of family secrets, financial problems and dealing with Kimberly’s illness.

Overall, the play has quite a few laughs. While Kimberly Akimbo may not look so good on paper, it is definitely worth a look on stage.

Kimberly Akimbo is playing at The Stagecrafters now through Sept. 25, Thursdays through Sundays. All shows are at 8 p.m., except Sunday, when there is a 2 p.m. matinee. For ticket information, visit The Stagecrafters website.